One week ban for Lotawa

Related

Auckland player Watisoni Lotawa has been suspended for one week
for striking an opponent with his elbow in the Air New Zealand Cup
match between Auckland and Manawatu on Saturday 23rd of
August.

Lotawa appeared before the NZRU Judiciary on Wednesday after
being cited for striking Manawatu player Francisco Bosch in the
64th minute of the match.

At the hearing, the winger denied that there had been an act of
foul play or that he had been reckless. Lotawa could not explain
why he raised his arm and was not conscious that he had done
so.

He did, however, accept that his elbow had made contact with the
Manawatu player's head but that it was not intentional or
deliberate.

Taking all evidence into account the NZRU Judiciary determined
that Lotawa had struck the Manawatu player in his head with his
elbow, his actions were reckless and the citing was upheld and a
one week suspension applied.